The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-25
GERMAN VS.. IRISH CATHOLICS.
Bitter Talk Growing Ont of the Coming Ger
man Catholic Convention at Chicago.

CHICAGO, Aug 1.-THE Germans in Chicago
and throughout the Northwest generally are
very indignant over the alleged attitude of the
Irish clergy in regard to the coming convention
of German Catholics in Chicago Interviews
with Irish-American priests and bishops. and
extracts from semi-official church organs in
which the opinion that the German language
should be prohibited in Catholic churches and
schools is expressed, have been reproduced
here, and have drawn out bitter comments from
the German newspapers. The Illinois Stats
Zeitung. which represents one of the largest
constituencies OF Germans in the Northwest,
says to-day on the subject; For many years
the German-Americans belonging to the
Catholic Church have had their con-
occurring to anyone to complain that
German was their mother tongue. Suddenly it
dawns upon the Irish to wonder and object
These fellows, who themselves were born out OF
America, whose rative language is Celtic, and
who. as servants, have only adopted the language
of their orpressors, these undertake to prevent
Germans sharing the same faith themselves
and the use of their mother tongue" The Stats
Zeitung then quotes from article published
in the Catholic Advocate, of Louisville, in which
the German language Is compared to the grunts
of swine. In conclusion, the paper says: ''If
the coming convention does not bring out the
sentiment of the Germans on this subject in
sharp contrast with the shamelessness of the
Irish; if the German Catholics do not take as
firm a stand the Irish have TAKEN then they
should. without delay, and badge OF their
servitude to the Irish, put Mac or an o before
their names"
ST LOUIS, Aug. 4-In referring to the Ger
man Catholic convention which is to be held in
Chicago early next month. the Amerika, the or
gan of the German Catholics of this city says
"a largely attended meeting of German Catho-
lies held tonight and the St Louis contin-
gent to the Chicago convention will be strong
one" After stating the nature and purpose
of this convention, which have already been
published, it says: ''It is not the intention to
oppose the Irish or any other race part of
the American people. Only internal affairs,
viz: The question of German Catholic paro-
chial schools. the German Catholic associations,
the German Catholic press and the papal jubi-
lee especially the founding of home for Ger
man Catholic immigrants at New York, to
be considered. On Sept the German Catholic
clergy of the United States is to have
union"
The Westliche Post which represents a very
large German constituency, abiding to the lam
guage question: says: without indorsing the
general principle of sectarian schools of any
creed whatsoever. and considering the public
school system to be of far more importance and
more needed, we nevertheless heartily approve
the purpose of these meetings, and especially
zens of our country will protest against each and
every encroachment upon the use of their Ian
guage in church and school. and they ought TO
protest still stronger against the usurpation on
the part of the Irish Catholic priests to dictate
to the German Catholics of this country in what
language they shall pray to their God, and in
the teachings and doctrines of their religion"
The AnZeiger des Westens. referring to the
same subject, says: 1--WE think the German
Catholics are right in defending themselves
against the encroachments of their English
speaking brethren of Irish descent. They do
not intend TO set up separate ma
tionality by insisting that their children
should be taught the German Ian
guage. The American born children of
Germans are as patriotic Americans. even if
they continue to adhere to the German Ian
guage, the children of Engish-speaking par
ents Experience shows that if the children of
Germans learn English exclusively, and are un-
able to converse with their parents in their |
mother tongue, they early begin to
despise their parents account
Of their broken and clumsy use
of the English, and from bad children they |
too often become bad citizens. We therefore |
think that it ia. in the interest OF tbis country.
desirable that children of German parents should
be taught both languages. 1t will make them |
not worse, but better citizens OF the United |
States. AS to the complaint that the German |
Catholics do not get their share or ecclesiastical
nouors in comparison to numbers. appear |
,nces seem to show that it is well founded"